Remembering the Flood of 2006

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SCHUYLKILL HAVEN -- Flooding is nothing new in our area, but some people are glad to see something is being done about it in one community in Schuylkill County.

If you wanted to get around in Schuylkill Haven for a few days in the summer of 2006 you would have to use a boat. About 1/3 of the community was underwater when the Schuylkill River roared out of it's banks.

The bank of the Schuylkill River is only about 50 feet from homes and businesses.

Rick Ney remembers the flood of '06.

"It wasn't bad for me because I was here in 77 when it was really bad because it was really flooded. It was about half as bad," said Ney.

Kenny Smith said the river made a mess of part of Schuylkill Haven.

"It was bad you couldn't get across the bridge because it was closed off, all the streets was washed out," said Smith.

Ney and Smith watch the flood control work being done along the river bank. Concrete blankets each weighing 2 1/2 tons were put into place. That should prevent the river bank from eroding during flooding. The silt the machinery is on will be taken out too, giving the waterway a better flow.

Smith said more needs to be done.

"Down the river at the bridge all those logs down there are stopping the flow of the water. Reporter: it's got no where to go when it gets high? Answer:it just comes over the bank," said Smith.

Some hope the $1.2 million being spent on the project eases future flooding in Schuylkill Haven. Dive team member Carter Hoffman does not want a repeat of 2006.

"Pretty busy couple days. We pretty much ran for two days between port Carbon and here and surrounding communities that were flooding." said Hoffman.

The flood control project is expected to be done within the next two months.